York College
We are happy to have some information to pass on to our readers concerning York College, a new school operated by members of the church, which will open its doors to a student body next September. Circumstances surrounding the opening of this school in York, Nebraska, under management of members of the church are most interesting and unusual. Established in 1891 the school was operated for 63 years by the Evangelical-United Brethren Church as a denominational college. In 1954 they abandoned the school, and the complete property and physical assets were turned over to the town of York, Nebraska, for whatever disposition the city might desire to make of them.
After a year of negotiations the city of York delivered the property over to a board of Trustees, all of whom are members of the Lord's church, with no strings attached except that they are to maintain and operate an accredited college in York. The property consists of seven buildings and a well laid out campus. Buildings and equipment are valued at approximately one-half million dollars. Two dormitories, gymnasium, library, temporary laboratory, a dining hall and a residence make up the buildings now on the campus. An administration building is needed, and will be built in time.
A Board of Trustees numbering fourteen men (seven of them residents of Nebraska, four from Texas, and one each from Minnesota, Wyoming, and Utah) selected Brother Harvey A. Childress of Minneapolis, Minnesota, to be the first president of York College as it develops toward regular academic work to begin next fall. Brother Childress is a capable and faithful preacher of the gospel, and has been located in Minnesota for a number of years. He is a native of Texas, and graduated from Abilene Christian College in 1935.
This school has determined (and provided in its bylaws) that it will neither solicit nor accept contributions from congregations. We rejoice that such is the case. It is very evident that some other schools operated by Christian men have no such convictions, and refuse contributions from churches purely as a matter of policy. Some, indeed, even teach that it is right and proper for such secular colleges to be supported by congregations.
It is needful that York College raise $75,000.00 by next July 1 to guarantee operation of the school, and to show good faith to those who have made the property available. If any of our readers desire to send a contribution to this work, you may address it to York College, P. O. Box 43, York, Nebraska.
We rejoice to see such new colleges begin. It is a sad but true fact that both colleges and congregations tend to become lax and worldly-minded both doctrinally and morally as they become established, powerful, and popular with the passing years. It is not necessarily so, and probably there may be some exceptions; but that isthe general rule. For that reason should, we stop establishing congregations, and make no attempt to start new schools? Not at all. Let us exert every influence within our power to keep the big, old congregations from becoming worldly-minded as years and prestige and popularity accumulate, and continue to establish new congregations all the time. And likewise with schools as we have opportunity. We hail York College as a fine opportunity for helping young men and women to receive training under Christian teachers, and we hope she may be generously and loyally supported by right thinking people everywhere.
— F. Y. T.
Preachers Who Changed
The pages of history are made glorious with the records of men who have changed. It is right and honorable to change from error to truth; it would be wrong and sinful not to change once a man has learned the truth. We are happy to give our readers information concerning two preachers who have recently changed. One of them is Brother Jack Goodwin. He was licensed to preach by the Baptist Temple Church in Del Rio, Texas, on November 12, 1954. He was baptized into Christ by Brother Marvine Kelley of Del Rio late in 1955.
Brother Goodwin is a sincere and capable young man, and should make a great contribution to the cause of truth in the years ahead. Like Saul of Tarsus he will now preach that which he once opposed, and will spend his life in serving and following Christ — not John the Baptist. We rejoice with Brother Kelley in the conversion of this honest man, and pray that his years may be many and useful to the glory of Christ.
Another preacher who has recently "changed" is Brother James E. Catron of Miami Beach, Florida. He has preached for many years in the Christian Church, and is thoroughly familiar with events and attitudes which exist in that denomination. In a personal letter to the editor he makes this observation:
"I do not wish or expect to burden my brethren with matters which I have criticized among Christian Churches and their preachers; but the issues now being discussed by the brethren of the Church of Christ are parallel to these issues of missions and agencies and colleges in the Christian Church. The brethren should see where these things lead. Perhaps the greatest evil of this argument is the injection of personalities; which is to be regretted and should be resolved at once ...."
Brother C. W. Scott had much to do with Brother Catron's leaving the denomination with which he had been is long affiliated, and taking his stand with simple Christians. We rejoice with all everywhere in the addition of these two faithful men (Goodwin and Catron) to the number of loyal gospel preachers.
— F. Y. T.